Luke Marshall at the double as Ulster outclass Ospreys

Luke Marshall continued his impressive early-season form by scoring two tries as Ulster dominated an understrength Ospreys in Belfast.

Marshall has hit the ground running since his return from injury and he crossed at either end of the first half to help Ulster climb to second in the BKT United Rugby Championship.

Sam Carter also helped himself to a brace with John Andrew, Stuart McCloskey and replacement Marcus Rea also crossing in the seven-try rout.

Marshall and McCloskey's midfield partnership continues to bear fruit, with the former’s running lines and breakdown work to the latter’s strong carrying and offloading ability proving a formidable combination. The fleet-footed Michael Lowry was a constant threat while Springbok Duane Vermeulen got through plenty of work on his return to Ulster colours.

The Ospreys arrived without seven Wales internationals, who are having their minutes managed ahead of next month’s autumn Tests, and they were forced into two late changes after captain Dan Lydiate and out-half Stephen Myler were both ruled out an hour before kick-off.

Things got even worse inside two minutes of the kick-off when prop Gareth Thomas, making his 100th appearance for the club, also departed injured.

Ulster have not lost successive league matches at Kingspan Stadium since December 2010 and a strong start ensured that run would continue.

The patched-up Ospreys began nervously, with out-half Jack Walsh skewing a kick into touch following a misplaced pass in their own 22, and those errors were pounced upon by Ulster.

With centurion Thomas down injured, Ian Madigan put Marshall charging through a hole in the Ospreys defence to touch down inside two minutes, with John Cooney converting.

They doubled their advantage on eight